Adjustable hook



Aug. 26f1930.

F. GREENBERG ADJUSTABLE Hodx Filed Nov. 9, 1929 Patented Aug. 26, 1930 UNlTEfi STATES FRAI-IK GREENBERG,

or NEW YORK, 1v. Y.

ADJUSTABLE HOOK Application filed November This invention relates to adjustable hooks or supports, having particular reference to a iook or supporting member used in the hanging of pictures, mirrors, plaques, etc., for

room or house decoration or ornamentation.

The primary object of the invention is to provide means whereby an object such as a picture or mirror, may be suspended properly from the molding or picture strip of a 1 room and maintained in such a manner that vertical adjustment of the picture or mirror may be made without changing the length of the picture cord.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support of the character thus generally stated, embodying means of an improved nature for maintaining the supporting hook rigidly in its adjusted position.

A further object is to provide a support of that type wherein a stali or rod and traveler therefor are employed, and wherein improved means is provided for normally holding the holder in adjusted position but permitting free adjustments of the same by manual operation.

\Vith these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a part of a wall and picture molding, illustrating as applied thereto a support embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the supporting hook, and, I

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the improved support and showing the parts in the position they will assume when the hook is subjected to weight.

Referring now to the drawings, the invention includes a staff or rod 4 of a suitable or desirable length and provided at one end with means, such as the hook 5, to engage over the molding or picture strip 6 secured to the wall 7. The rod 4 may be circular, rectangular, or polygonal in cross section, and

9, 1929. Serial No. 406,089.

the lower or greater part thereof is straight.

Associated with the stafi" or rod is a carrier, holder or clevis 8 which is arranged so as to travel longitudinally upon the stall 4,. In the present instance this holder is in the form of a clevis having a pair of spaced arms 9, and the stall 4 is snugly but slidably received between these arms at the bight portion of the clevis.

Arranged between the said arms 9 is a member or hook element or support 10, having a pin 11 passing through the same near one end and also through the spaced arms 9 of the clevis. The outer or opposite end portion of the member is hooked as at 12 to receive the weight of the article to be supported. The inner portion of this member is provided with an enlargement or cam element 13, disposed near the lower and inner extremity of the element and in such manner that upon downward movement of the outer or hooked end of the member the said cam will move in a direction to clampingly engage with the stat? 4:. The inner edge of member 10 is substantially straight from the cam portion to the upper edge of the memher, and normally lies substantially parallel to the straight portion of the rod 4.

A flat spring llhas one end secured in a slot or kerf 15 in the member 10 near its lower edge, and extends therefrom around the edge of the cam 13 and substantially parallel with the straight inner edge of the member 10. This spring passes through the clevis and beyond the same at its upper edge being bent at its free end 16 so as to rest against the staff 1 and normally exert outward pressure upon the upper part 17 of the member 10. The spring by this arrangement is interposed between the member 10 and the staff 4, and as the free end of this spring exerts outward pressure upon the portion or shoulder 17 of the member 10, the cam portion 13 will normally but yieldably be held in clamping engagement with the staff.

When weight is applied to the member 10 by the hook 12, the said member will be caused to rotate in such manner as to force the cam portion '13 thereof into tight clamping contact with stall 4:, the spring 14 serving as a shim between the cam and the stafi. The greater the downward pressure applied to the hook 12, the greater will be the clamping engagement of these parts, so that downward sliding movement of the holder will be impossible. lVhen the hook 12 is relieved of all weight, the spring 14 will still. hold the cam portion 13 in clamping engagement with the staff. lVhen it is desired to raise or lower the member 10, it is but necessary to move the outer or hooked end of the member 10 upwardly so as to relieve the clamping action between the cam and the staff, whereupon the clevis may be slid in either direction longitudinally of the staff. Upon release of the hook member the spring 14; immediately moves the member 10 to bring the cam portion 13 into clamping engagement with the staff and accidental movement of the hook will be prevented notwithstanding that the hook may be free of all weight.

The spring 14 as thus described acts as a wear element and shim between the cam member and the staff, and also serves as effective means for holding the parts normally in locking or clamping position.

lVhile the foregoing is a description of the invention in its preferred embodiments, it is nevertheless to be understood that variations may be liberally made in the minor details construction without departing from the invention as defined by the claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a device of the class described, a staff, av carrier slidable on said staff, a cam on said carrier and adapted when moved in one. direction. to exert clamping action on said staff, and a spring interposed between said cam and said staff and tending to normally hold said cam in staff clamping position.

2. In a device of the class described, a carrier slidable on said staff, a holder pivoted. on said carrier, a cam surface on said holder adapted when the holder is moved in one direction to exertclamping action on said staff, and a spring secured to said holder and bearing against said. staff and normally maintaining said cam in clamping position.

3. In a. device of the class described, a staff, a carrier having a channel to receive said staff, a member pivoted in said carrier, a. cam surface on said member adapted to have clamping action with said staff when the member is moved in one direction, and means yieldably holding said member with the clamping surface in operative position.

4. In a device of the class described, a staff, a clevis receiving said staff between its arms, a member pivoted between said arms, a cam surface on said member, a spring secured to said member and passed around said cam surface and through the clevis and inter V posed between the member and said staff,

the free end of said spring beyond said clevis FRANK GREENBERG. 

